OSCE PA President Appreciated Reforms in Armenian Constitution

PanARMENIAN.Net - Today Armenian Speaker Artur Baghdassaryan met with US Congressman, President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) Alcee L. Hastings, reported the Press Service of the Armenian NA. US Ambassador to Armenia John Evans was present at the meeting. The parties discussed matters of cooperation between the Parliament of Armenia and the OSCE PA. Mr. Hastings remarked they were doing their best to form better conditions for expressing democracy during the election in Armenia in 2007-2007. «November 27 you will have an opportunity to show to the world that Armenia moves towards democratic development,» stated Hastings. He also remarked he had acquainted himself with reforms in the constitution and appreciates the moves aimed at division of power, independence of judicial system and media, human rights protection. When discussing regional problems A. Baghdassaryan addressed the need of diversified approaches to the South Caucasian countries, as objective political development also evidence it. In his words, especially, the EU Wider Europe: New Neighbors Program should not be stopped owing to a problem between Azerbaijan and Cyprus. Mr. Hastings agreed with that viewpoint. Trafficking was another issue discussed at the meeting. At the instance of A. Hastings the Armenian Speaker explained that trafficking is mainly due to economic causes and legislative reforms are planned in the future that will be a positive move to prevent spreading of trafficking. Matters of bilateral interest were also discussed at the meeting.